Eastern University Welcomes New Golf Coach

      Eastern’s new golf coach, Andrew “Drew” Patterson, is a recent graduate from West Chester University. Originally from Hummelstown, Pa., Patterson earned a PING Division II All-Atlantic Region recognition and was appointed to be team captain throughout his college career. Patterson shot three rounds under 70 during his final season, and recently won the Jake Gittlen Memorial Golf Tournament at the East Course at Hershey Country Club.

      Patterson’s  love of golf, however, extends much further back into his past. “I have been playing golf since I was four years old (18 years),” Drew recounts, “I started on the driving range with my grandfather. He would take me out on the course when I was about eight years old, and ever since seeing the course and being with him I fell in love with the game. He made it very enjoyable for me and was a great partner to go play with.” His love for golf later in his career is also strongly connected to those whom he played with. “One of my favorite parts about playing at West Chester was the companionship our team had,” he explains, “We were all best friends with one another and made great memories on and off the course together.”

      Patterson goes on to recount some of his favorite memories with the team, specifically referencing traveling with his team. He explains, “Our spring break trip each year with the team was always a great time. It doesn’t get better than playing golf for a week with your best friends in North Carolina.” He also gives a nod to his coach, Harry Hammond, crediting him with a lot of his success. Outside of golf, Patterson says, “I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Any time I can go home and visit my parents and grandparents, I do.” He also mentioned a love of music, and attended a Florida Georgia Line concert over the summer with friends, which he called “a blast.”

     On the topic of friendship, Patterson was also attracted to the community among the Eastern coaching staff, elaborating, “I knew that if I got the job at Eastern I would make many friends along the way. Eastern has several fantastic coaches and faculty. After meeting the staff, I knew Eastern would be a very welcoming and friendly place to coach.” Patterson was drawn to work at Eastern for several reasons, the biggest being its emphasis on Christianity. “I knew I would be able to talk and relate to my players and other coaches about Christ,” he explains. “Working in a Christian environment not only makes it easier for me to grow in my relationship with the Lord, but also help other players as well.”

      Addressing his vision for his golf teams this year, Patterson reports that he wants to grow both the men’s and the women’s team. The men’s team currently has seven players, including three freshmen students, and the women’s has six, with one freshman. Patterson also asserts that he wants to improve his players’ “mental side of the game.” He continues, “I know both teams have tons of talent and potential and I am very excited to push them to become better on and off the course.”

      Patterson expresses his high hopes for both the women’s and men’s teams, asserting, “I plan on getting the women’s team… to repeat their conference championship they won last year. It would be very special to have the men’s team standing with them as well.” Last year, the women’s team won the MAC Championship with a 16-stroke lead, and the men’s team finished in second, after passing four teams on the final day of the championship. Patterson’s ultimate goal would be to make it to the National Championship this year, concluding, “Hopefully with my expertise, we can all make it down and compete for the National Championship.”                           

      Sources: eastern.edu